Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994) is the second television series based upon the universe created by Gene Roddenberry.

While the original series stories were set in the 23rd century, Star Trek: The Next Generation stories take place in the 24th. This shifting of the time period forward to another century demanded that the stories employ much more advanced technology and science compared to the original series.

More significantly, a totally new cast of characters was needed. Patrick Stewart (front) is Enterprise Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Behind the captain are Deanna Troi (left), played by Marina Sirtis and medical doctor Beverly Crusher (right), played by Gates McFadden. In the back row (left to right) are Levar Burton as chief engineer Geordi La Forge, Brent Spiner as science officer Data, Michael Dorn as chief of security Worf, and Jonathan Frakes as second-in-command William T. Riker.

The “new look and feel” of Star Trek: The Next Generation makes the original Star Trek seem quite primitive in comparison. Of course, the reason is that the art and science of motion picture and television production in the late 1980s made possible an exciting and compelling visual presentation that was impossible in the 1960s. Also, Paramount had produced and released four Star Trek major motion pictures (1979, 1982, 1984, 1986) by the time Star Trek: The Next Generation debuted on television in 1987, so there was now an established overall “new look and feel” for all Star Trek productions.

What can be said about the embedded themes and messages in Star Trek: The Next Generation?

First, since Roddenberry created both the original Star Trek television series as well as this second one, similarities between the two series should be expected. Clearly, however, Star Trek: The Next Generation was produced with an intent to have this series stand on its own, independently of the original series.

There are a handful of episodes in which characters from the original series appear in Star Trek: The Next Generation. DeForest Kelley’s final Star Trek appearance as medical doctor Leonard McCoy is 1987 in “Encounter at Farpoint, part one” the first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Leonard Nimoy’s final Star Trek appearance is in the 1991 “Unification, part two” episode. James Doohan as Scotty in 1992’s “Relics” is the third (and last) time that a major Star Trek character reprises his role in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

But, Star Trek: The Next Generation should best be seen as existing in its own rite, and should be respected for its own embedded themes and messages.  For instance, Roddenberry used the character of science officer Spock in the original series to make persuasive points about the reliance upon science and logic coupled with the complete absence of any military or political ambition.  Thus, Spock’s motives and behaviors were “pure” compared to his fellow Star Fleet officers, notably James T. Kirk–who lived for adventure, conquest, and personal advancement.  In this second series, Roddenberry expanded upon this persuasive storytelling element with the character of science officer Data.  Like Spock, Data was unable to ambitiously seek self-advancement and power.   Data had one overarching ambition, and it was the purest of the pure:  He wanted to become more like human beings and discover how to love like humans do.

Given that there are 178 episodes in this series, it would be a mistake to presume that one can find persuasive intent or impact in each one. As is true of the original series as well, not every episode should be interpreted for having a particularly important statement about controversial issues.

However, by parsing Star Trek we can deconstruct how components of episodes work and learn much about the persuasive power of storytelling in both Star Trek the original series and Star Trek: The Next Generation.